steamer
- 01 B1 Intermediate
a ship or boat that is powered by steam.
a vessel propelled by a steam engine.
Simple“The old steamer carried passengers across the lake every morning.”
In context“By the late nineteenth century, the iron-hulled steamer had largely replaced sailing ships for transatlantic commercial transport.”
- 02 B1 Intermediate
a kitchen tool used to cook food using steam.
a kitchen appliance or container used for steaming vegetables, fish, or other food items.
Simple“Put the broccoli in the steamer for five minutes until it is tender.”
In context“The chef recommended using a bamboo steamer to maintain the delicate texture of the handmade dumplings.”
Synonymsfood steamer - 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
a device that uses steam to remove wrinkles from clothes.
a handheld or upright device that emits steam to remove creases from fabric.
Simple“I used a steamer on my suit because I didn't have an iron.”
In context“The wardrobe assistant used a professional-grade steamer to ensure the silk gowns were flawless before the actors went on stage.”
Synonymsgarment steamer - 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
a type of clam that people usually eat steamed.
a soft-shell clam, especially the species Mya arenaria, typically served steamed.
Simple“We ordered a big bucket of steamers at the restaurant by the beach.”
In context“The coastal tavern is famous for its steamers, served simply with a side of drawn butter and clam broth.”
Synonymssoft shell clam - 05 C1 Advanced
a wetsuit with long sleeves and long legs for cold water.
a full-length wetsuit designed for thermal protection in cold water surfing or diving.
Simple“You will need a thick steamer if you plan to surf here in winter.”
In context“Despite the bright sunshine, the water temperature necessitated a 4mm steamer for any session lasting over an hour.”
Synonymsfull suitAntonymsspringsuit - 06 C2 Proficiency
a horse that many people are betting on, so its price goes down.
a racehorse whose odds are shortening rapidly due to a high volume of bets.
Simple“That horse was a real steamer this morning, dropping from 10-1 to 4-1.”
In context“Professional gamblers often track steamers to identify where the 'smart money' is moving before the race begins.”
Antonyms
From steam + -er. The steamer duck or steamer (sense 6.2) is apparently named for its resemblance to a paddle steamer when swimming rapidly.
From steam tug, rhyming slang for mug (“a gullible or easily cheated person; a stupid or contemptible person”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.